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Temps susceptible to injury, but workers' compensation helps

On behalf of Ganly & Ramer, P.L.L.C. posted in Workplace Injuries on Thursday, December 19, 2013.

When someone who has been out of work for a while finally claims a new job opportunity, a wave of excitement may overwhelm him or her. This is true even if the job is temporary. Temporary workers in North Carolina, however, are exposed to many hazards on the job, just as regular full-time employees are, and falling ill or being injured on the job can cause them to miss work and result in the need for workers' compensation.

Many companies have begun to rely on temporary employees since the recession in 2008, especially on construction sites and in warehouses and factories. Research shows that temporary employees actually have a higher risk of being injured in the workplace than permanent workers do. Part of the reason for this is that job seekers have a higher chance of finding work in blue-collar fields that pose dangers, such as warehousing and manufacturing.

Temporary workers specifically are susceptible to severe injuries, experts say. These include punctures, fractures and dislocations as well as cuts and even amputations. Many of the injuries occur due to risky work with heavy machinery or because of a lack of employee training. Sometimes a work injury suffered by a temporary worker will lead to the company and temporary agency debating which should be liable to pay for the workers' compensation claim.

Workers' compensation must be purchased for all employees at each company in the state of North Carolina. These benefits financially cover workers who are injured as a result of their job duties, but they also protect companies from being sued in the event that a worker is hurt on the job. Claiming the insurance benefit amount that one deserves, as well as acquiring the medical help needed to treat an injury, is possible if a person gains and applies a strong understanding of legislation in this complex field.

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